Oboe fingering system and mouthpiece

ABSTRACT

The new oboe or English horn fingering system of the invention comprises a series of new keys added to the instrument and rearrangement of a number of existing keys which cooperate to achieve a new and more versatile fingering system.

United States Patent 1191 Paladino 1451 Nov. 19, 1974 OBOE FINGERING SYSTEM AND MOUTHPIECE [76] Inventor: Dick Paladino, 4221 San Bernardino Ave., Las Vegas, Nev. 89102 [22] Filed: Nov. 20, 1973 21 App]. No.: 417,555

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 349,625, April 9,

52'] misc] 84/380 511 mu. ..G10d 7/00 [58] Field of Search 84/380, 380 A, 382

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,585,594 5/l926 Mackey 84/382 l/l959 Mazzeo 84/382 2/1974 Paladino 84/380 A Primary ExaminerLawrence R. Franklin Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Jerry R. Seiler 5 7 ABSTRACT The new oboe or English horn fingering system of the invention comprises a series of new keys added to the instrument and rearrangement of a number of existing keys which cooperate to achieve a new and more versatile fingering system.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEL HEY I 9 I974 SHEET 1 BF 2 ISA FIGURE PATENTEL NUVI 9 I974 SHEH 2 0F 2 FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 3.

OBOE FINGERING SYSTEM AND MOUTHPIECE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Ser. No. 349,625, filed Apr. 9, 1973.

The clasic or state of the art oboe and fingering system has been used for generations without a significant change. However, such a fingering system has a number of disadvantages which makes intervals between certain of the keys and notes quite difficult, especially for other than an advanced oboist. Moreover, a few intervals, for example, low B flat to C sharp or D sharp, a D sharp to F natural trill as well as others are extremely awkward or difficult even for the advanced or professional player. It is to the elimination of such difficult fingering that the present invention is directed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present oboe fingering system is designed to give the oboist a greater versatility and ease in playing certain intervals and scales as well as to increase the speed at which intervals and scales may be accomplished and an improved control of the instrument while performing. In my aforesaid copending application there was described a full plateau system in which a number of keys and tone hole covers were not provided with vent holes. However, in the fingering system of the present invention the low D natural in the lower portion of the oboe or English horn, and G natural and A natural in the upper portion are provided with vent holes while keys B natural in the upper portion and F sharp in the lower portion are provided with vent holes. In addition certain other keys described therein have been eliminated to produce a somewhat simplified instrument. Specific details and advantages of the new fingering system will be evident from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a partial view of an oboe showing the lower half or right hand portion of the fingering system of the invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial view of the oboe showing the upper portion or left hand of the fingering system; and

FIG. 3 is another view of the upper portion shown in FIG. 2 and illustrating a further embodiment of the improved fingering system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, there are illustrated partial views of the lower portion (FIG. 1) and upper portion (FIG. 2) of an oboe incorporating the improved oboe fingering system of the invention. The Figures illustrate all of the fingering keys located on the lower and upper portions or halves of the oboe so that the tone hole pad covers and bell end of the instrument below those keys shown in FIG. 1 are not shown for simplicity and since they remain substantially unchanged from existing oboes. For the sake of simplicity, the key and the sequence of playing the keys of the fingering system of the invention will be described individually beginning with the low end of the oboe scale. Reference will be made by comparison with existing oboe fingering systems known to those skilled in the art and shown in beginning oboe books, for example, the Rubank oboe chart by N. W. Hovey or any similar available fingering charts.

LOW B FLAT On an oboe or English horn the fingering for low B fiat according to the system of the invention is significantly improved. To sound low B flat, left hand keys 53, 64, 52 (FIG. 2), 23 and right hand keys 39, 30 and 33 are depressed. It will be noted that key 33 and tone covers 72 and 54 underlying keys 64 and 52 respectively have been provided with vent holes which will be closed by the fingers placed on the keys as understood by those skilled in the art. Keys 53 and 30 are also provided with vent holes. Although the over ring 64 is described, it may be eliminated and instead, tone hole cover 72 provided with a vent hole and used alone as a key whenever that over ring is mentioned. A cross bar 12 and T bar l4 connected to the existing low B natural hinge tube 29 and tone hole cover cooperate with cross member 19 to close C natural tone hole cover 35 and existing B natural pad cover when B fiat key 23 is depressed with little finger left hand. B flat key 23 is attached to hinge tube 37 as is cross bar 12 so that when key 23 is depressed, the cross bar is displaced or elevated and which also displaces cooperating T bar 14 since the ends of these members abut one another as shown. The upper end of the T bar underlies cross member 19 and is attached to hinge tube 29 as is the C natural key 15. Accordingly, when B fiat key 23 is I depressed C natural key 15 is also depressed, along with B natural tone hole cover and pad (not shown) attached to hinge tube 29, due to the cooperation of the cross bar 12 and T bar 14 to close the C natural tone hole underlying tone hole cover 35. This leaves the oboe players little or fourth finger right hand free to make smooth and rapid transitions to actuate other keys which is especially important when attempting a trill from B fiat to B natural or, for example, intervals between B flat and C sharp or D sharp. A further significant improvement is the interval between B flat and B natural. A new B natural key 16 has been added for depression by the right hand little finger so that the interval can simply be played by holding down or depressing B natural key 16 with the right hand little finger while raising and loweing little finger left hand for actuation of B fiat key 23. Thus, a high speed B flat to B natural thrill can be accomplished with extreme ease as opposed to the hold or existing fingering system which required the player to slide the little finger left hand back and fourth between the B natural and B flat key which is considered very impractical.

LOW B NATURAL A new B natural key 16, as previously noted, has been placed for actuation by little finger right hand and which key depression causes pivot of hinge tube 13 in turn elevates cross bar 18A attached to the hinge tube as shown. This cross bar displacement also displaces T bar 14 and, as previously explained, because of the cooperation of the T bar and cross member 19, C natural tone hole cover 35 is closed and C natural key 15 is concomitantly depressed without requiring the player to depress the key. This feature greatly enhances the ability to play intervals from low B natural to C sharp to D sharp to B natural, without sliding, B natural to G sharp to D sharp to low B natural, also since the little finger left hand is free to make such intervals whereas under the old system the left hand little finger was required to hold down the C natural key. Accordingly, in the instant system, B natural key 16 played in the right hand is in addition to existing B natural key 25 which is connected to hinge tube 37. and which offers much greater versatility in making otherwise difficult intervals. Thus, low B natural may now be played by depressing either key 25 or key 16 as well as keys 53, 64, 52 (left hand) and 39, 30 and 33.

LOW NATURAL A new C natural key 42 has been added and is located directly beneath the existing low left hand B natural key 25. The left hand C natural key is attached to hinge tube 21 as is cross bar 26. The location of the right hand C natural key has been moved in the fingering system of the invention and which key includes an extension 15A overlying cross bar 26. Thus, when left hand C natural key 42 is depressed, hinge tube 21 rotates and cross bar 26 is elevated and urged against extension 15A thereby causing depression of right hand C natural key 15 and C natural tone hole cover 35 is closed. However,- right hand C natural key 15 works independently of key 42 to achieve a greater variety of fingering possibilities. Thus, low C natural can be played by depressing either key 42 or key 15 together with keys 53, 64, 52, 39, 30 and 33. This improved C natural fingering also eliminates an old C natural bar which was required to depressed by third finger right hand as earlier described. Such versatility will also be better understood hereinafter by explanation of additional keys in both the left hand and right hand little finger key arrangement whereby a variety of trills can be easily accomplished in either hand. Because of the newly added left hand C natural key 42, a variety of indown left hand G natural key 42 and trilling right hand C sharp key 18.

LOW C SHARP Two new C sharp keys have been added, right hand C sharp key 18 and left hand C sharp key 44 which, together with the old existing C sharp key 11, offer a variety of alternative finger combinations. Low C sharp may now be played by depressing either key 44 or key 18 together with keys 53, 64, 52, 39, 30 and 33. Left hand C sharp key 44 is attached to hinge post 34 which causes cross bar 24 to be elevated when key 44 is depressed. An extension 22 has also been added to exist-. ing C sharp key 11 so that when cross bar 24 is displaced, it is urged against extension 22 which causes concomitant depression of key 11. Right hand C sharp key 18 is connected at its end, such as by soldering or the like, to C sharp key 11, which is attached to hinge tube 20. Moreover, a short bar, shown partially in phantom, underlying keys 11 and 15, is connected to the latter so that depression of key 11 causes depression of key 15. Thus, when either of these three-C sharp keys are depressed, segmented hinge tube is pivoted, except for the segment to which arm 31 is attached, and opens a tone hole cover and pad covering the existing C sharp tone hole (not shown) and at the same time depresses key 15 which rotates hinge tube 29 and closes the C natural tone hole cover 35, as in the old system. With these additional C sharp keys, there is significant advantage offered over the old C sharp fingering system which required holding down the C natural bar with fourth finger right hand and then trilling C sharp with the right hand little finger. However, with the system of the invention, the left hand C sharp key 44 can be depressed independently to achieve the desired tone. The advantages of these C sharp keys also is particularly useful in playing chromatic scale as well in the keys of G flat, D flat, or B major whereby intervals from low D sharp to C sharp to B natural to D sharp to C sharp are much more easily accomplished. Right hand C sharp key 18 offers particular advantage even to the professional who might have much difficulty in making or playing such intervals rapidly in the low register. D natural to C sharp trill is also easily accomplished in the right hand because of the position of key 18 as compared to old key position 11. The fingers no longer need to reach out or spread unnaturally. Further, key 18 is positioned directly under newly positioned D sharp key 17 and adjacent B natural key 16 for additional ease in playing intervals to those notes.

D NATURAL Fingering for low Dnatural remains unchanged by depressing keys 53, 64, 52, 29, 30 and 33 making sure that tone holes and vent holes in the keys on underlying tone hole covers are covered.

D SHARP Low and middle octave D sharp is played with the same fingering as in the old system. Thus, keys 53, 64, 52, 39, 30 and 33 are depressed together with either key 17 or key 27 for low D sharp plus octave key 61 for middle octave D sharp. Right hand D sharp key 17 has been moved to a new position shown in FIG. 1 making it much easier to play, for example, in the key of B major. D sharp key 17 is attached to hinge tube 20 a bridge 20A. Hinge tube 20 is split as shown so that depression of key 17 elevates arm 31 and does not affect the C sharp keys 18 and 11 attached to the upper segment of the hinge tube so that when playing in the key of B major, or otherwise making an interval from low B natural to C sharp to D sharp to B natural or C sharp to low D sharp, the movement for the players right hand little finger is much more natural than the old system which required sliding the little finger from C sharp to D sharp.

E NATURAL Low and middle E natural fingerings are unchanged from existing oboe systems.

F NATURAL F natural has been altered by incorporating an over ring 39 attached to bridge member 40 and in turn attached to F sharp tone hole cover 32. Located beneath over ring 39 is tone holecover 38 which is a newly positioned F natural fingering. Accordingly, the F natural hole of the present invention is now located beneath key 38 and allows the note F natural to be produced through a new tone hole making possible a much clearer sounding note. It is now in place of the old F sharp fingering. The F sharp fingering has instead been moved tokey and tone hole cover 30.. Moreover, the F natural tone hole has been made slightly smaller and has a diameter of approximately 9/64 inch. To play F natural according to the invention, the oboist uses only the first finger right hand to depress over ring 39 which also causes depression of tone hole covers 38 and 32. Low F natural also requires depression of left hand keys 53, 64 and 52 while for middle octave F, octave key 61 is also depressed. Such a fingering for F natural is a significant improvement over the old F natural in fingering system whereby first, second and third fingers right hand are required to depress keys to achieve that note.

F SHARP One F sharp position and fingering according to the invention requires depression of key 30 with second finger right hand instead of first finger right hand position according to the old system. The F sharp tone hole located beneath tone hole cover 32 has been enlarged from 11/64 inch to /64 inch or 4 inch with the specific diameter depending on the individual instrument and the pitch of the note desired. It will be noted that the hinge tube to which keys 33, and 39 are attached is split into segments 7, 3, 10, 5 and 8. The hinge tube is hollow and has a rod (shown in phantom) extending through the length of the tubes hollow interior. Pin 4 secures segment 3 to the rod while pin 6 similarly secures segment 8 to which bar 2 is attached. Thus, key 33 works independently from keys 30 and 39. When key or over ring 39 and F natural tone hole cover 28 are depressed, keys 33 and 30 remain open. However, when the instrumentalist depresses key 30, tone hole cover 38 will also be depressed since hinge tube segments 3 and 8 will rotate because of pins 4 and 6 thereby causing depression of bar 2 (attached to segment 8) which overlies stud 9 attached to the tone hole cover 38. Yet, over ring 39 is not then depressed due to the action of a spring (not shown) which holds the over ring, bridge member 40 and tone hole cover 32 up unless specifically depressed since these members are secured to independent segment 10. Thus, the new F sharp tone hole located beneath tone hole cover 32 remains open when key 30 is depressed to sound F sharp. When playing low F sharp, keys 53, 64 and 52 are also depressed as is octave key 61 when playing middle or second octave F sharp. Accordingly, the improvement of the present F sharp comprises enlarging the size of the tone hole, the new fingering postion, key 30 with a vent hole, and the operating mechanism of the key as described herein.

F SHARP TRILL KEY A new F sharp trill key 38, tone hole cover 36 and underlying tone hole 46 have been added to the instrument. Thus, an additional F sharp tone hole 46 has been placed on the instrument adjacent and in line horizontally with the F sharp tone hole under hole cover 32. This new tone hole is substantially the same size as the previously described F sharp tone hole, i.e., between about l5/64 inch and A inch depending on the specific instrument and intonation desired. Accordingly, F sharp trill key 28 can be actuated independent, and normally first finger right hand depresses key 39 and the third finger right hand depresses key 28. Thus, F sharp can be produced either by actuating the thrill key 28 and key 39 or by depressing key 30 singularly as previously explained which gives added versatility to the instrument.

Referring now alos to FIG. 2, there is shown an upper half of the oboe and fingering system of the invention with the upper portion thereof omitted. FIG. 3 shows the side of the instrument and keys thereon which are not visible in FIG. 2. It is also to be understood, and it will be evident to those silled in the art, that in the previous discussion regarding the described fingering techniques and system that keys 53, 64 and 52 in FIG. 2 are depressed with first, second and third fingers left hand to achieve notes as previously described. Moreover, although certain keys will be described as over rings, it is to be appreciated that these keys have underlying tone holes. However, according to the improvement of the invention, the over ring 64 may be even eliminated and tone hole cover 72 with a tone hole provided may be used alone as discussed previously under low B flat.

G NATURAL AND THE SINGLE ACTION OCTAVE KEY Referring to FIG. 2, G natural key position is unchanged but now comprises a tone hole cover and vented pad 54 and over ring 52 which may be independently actuated since they are respectively attached to different hinge tubes as shown. G natural is played by depressing over ring 52 and underlying key 54 with the third finger left hand with, of course, A natural and B natural keys 64 and 53 being depressed at the same time. Attached to and adjacent the upper end of hinge tube segment 82 is cross bar 84 which extends to engage arm 71 for actuating octave hole cover 76 and arm 73 for actuating octave hole cover 74. Arm 73 is pivotally connected between posts 75. The hinge tube to which over ring 52 is attached is also segmented in a manner as previously described with a rod extending therethrough. Pin 97 extends through the rod and segment 69 while pin 80 extends through the rod and segment 82. When over ring 52 is depressed, underlying G natural tone hole cover 54 is depressed and at the same time hinge tube segments 69 and 82 are rotated whereby cross bar 84 is depressed. As this occurs, arm 73 is depressed, as is octave hole cover 74, while octave hole cover 76 is raised by a biasing spring with arm 71 pivoting on posts 81.

Cooperating with this mechanism is octave key 61 shown in FIG. 3 which is connected to hinge tube 65 to which tube are also attached arms 63 and 85 shown in FIG. 2. Octave key 61 is referred to as a single action octave key and eliminates the old system which utilized two actave keys. Thus, in the new fingering system a left side octave key has been removed. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the second or left side octave key was a bar which was required to be held down with the side of the first finger left hand while playing octaves A natural, B natural, C natural and C sharp and which was released while depressing the left hand thumb octave key for playing certain other octave notes. When the person was required to hold the side of the first finger left hand on the octave key it significantly reduced the efficiency of playing notes with the fingers of the left hand.

Observing FIGS. 2 and 3, when octave key 61 is depressed with the thumb of the left hand and which is the only octave key now used, hinge tube 65 will be rotated to elevate arms 63 and 85 and allow octave hole covers 74 and 76 to be elevated for upper octave notes. With this understanding, low G natural is played without octave key 61 depressed while second octave G natural is played with the octave key depressed. Thus, when playing low octave G by depressing over ring 52, but without depressing octave key 61, arms 63 and 85 remain depressed and octave hole covers 74 and 76 are closed. When octave key 61 is depressed, arms 63 and 85 are elevated so that when at the same time G natural over ring 52 and tone hole cover 54 are depressed, arm 84 is also depressed to close octave key 74 while octave key 76 remains open sounding G natural in the second octave. The next note up, second octace A natural, is where the old system second octave key bar was placed; instead one merely raises the third finger left hand of the G natural key 52 activiating cross bar 84 against arm 71 to close cover 76 and releasing cover 74, thus sounding second octave A natural. Octave key 61 is depressed for middle D natural and all higher notes.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 2, hinge tube 95 is alos segmented and tone hole covers 91 and 93 are each attached to independent segments thereof as are tone hole covers 72 and 54 unlike the old system whereby all these keys were attached to each other. Lift springs (not shown) underlie the arms extending between the hinge tube segments and tone hole covers 91 and 93 whereby they remain open until depressed in response to depression of other keys or over rings as do covers 54 and 72. Observing also FIG. 3, cross bar 94 is attached to cover 91 unlike the old system where it was attached to a key replaced by tone hole cover 72. Cross bar 96 is now attached to cover 93 instead of a key corresponding to cover 54 in existing oboes. Thus, cooperating cross bars 59, 94 and 96 cause depression of different combinations of tone hole covers 91 and 93 depending on which keys are depressed. Two new cross bars 72A and 54A (see FIG. 2) have been added for the purpose of closing tone hole covers 91 and 93 by the depression of tone hole covers 72 and 54 respectively. As over ring 64 is depressed also depressing its underlying cover 72 to which is attached cross bar 72A, cover 91 is also depressed and held closed by the pressure of cross bar 72A acting on the cover arm. It will be noted that bar 72A underlies members 64 and 70. Similarly,

cover 93 is closed with applied pressure from cross bar 54A which is attached to cover 54 and the latter being depressed when over ring 52 is also depressed. For example, when over ring 52 is depressed as is tone cover 54 and cover 93, cross bar 96 is elevated by the rotating hinge tube segment to which it is attached and causes elevation of cross bar 94. In turn, since tone hole cover 91 is attached to the same hinge tube segment as is cross bar 94, covers 93 and 91 will be then closed when G natural over ring 52 and tone hole cover 54 are depressed. Moreover, cross bar 93A has been moved from the old G natural key and is now permanently attached to the top of cover 93. It extends out and reaches under the G sharp key 51 and underlies the latter for depression by key 51. When key 51 is depressed as is cross bar 93A it will be noted that covers 93 and 91 will be closed due to the cross bar 96, as described herein.

G SHARP The G sharp fingering remains the same in both low and middle octaves, for either left or right hand fingering. However, a new trill for G sharp has been created and, due to the interrelationship of the system, it is much less difficult. The player simply depresses keys 53 and 64 with the first and second fingers left hand and key 39 with the first finger right hand the latter being the trill finger. The old system required trilling with the third finger left hand, a much more difficult technique for rapid trilling. Accordingly, the old G sharp trill required holding down of fourth or little finger left hand and first and second finger left hand while raising and lowering the third finger which is obviously difficult.

A NATURAL Low A natural is played the same by depressing keys 53 and 64 and, of course, closing the tone holes in tone hole covers 72 and 54 with the second and third fingers left hand. Second octave A natural is played by simply depressing the same keys and octave key 61 whereas in the old system the alternate or second octave key bar was used. It is to be noted that over ring (key) 64 is attached to independent hinge tube segment 77 which allows over ring (key) 52 to remain elevated so that octave hole cover 76 is depressed and cover 74 elevated to produce the second octave A natural.

B FLAT (OCTAVE 2 AND 3) A new B flat key has been added for playing with the side of the right hand first finger to open B flat tone hole beneath cover 86. The diameter of the new B fiat tone hole is about 3/32 inch. Cover 86 and its tone hole beneath are located directly adjacent cover 93 (to the side). Thus, second octave B flat may be played by depressing key 55 with the side of the first finger right hand while at the same time depressing keys 53 and 64 first and second fingers left hand respectively. Third octave B flat is played indentically except that octave key 61 is also depressed.

B NATURAL (OCTAVE 2 AND 3) A new cross bar 59 (FIG. 3) has been attached to hinge tube so that when key 53 is d epressed, tone hole covers 91 and 93 are also depressed leaving both tone hole covers 72 and 54in a raised position to sound B natural. These covers remain open to sound C sharp unless B natural key 53 is depressed as opposed to the old system where these covers were closed normally until opened by depressing the right hand first finger I key to sound B fiat, C natural and C sharp. This embodiment replaces a lengthy bar used in the old system for this key. Observing also again FIG. 3, when key 53 is depressed, new cross bar 59 is elevated on the rotating segment of hinge tube 95 which thus lifts cross bars 94 and 96 thereby depressing both tone hole covers 91 and 93 only. Thus, cross bar 59 and tone hole cover 53 third octave B natural, in addition to key 53, octave key 61 is depressed.

C NATURAL (OCTAVE 2 AND 3) Second octave c natural is played by depressing over ring 64 with second finger left hand. Third octave C natural is played in the same way but also requires depression of octave key 61 with the thumb of the left hand. Both of these notes are obviously played with much more simplicity as compared to the old system requiring depression of keys with both the first finger left and right hand. A new side C natural thrill key 57 has been added to give greater ease for playing trills and grace notes, the latter often required to enhance the sound of the basic melody note. Accordingly, this may be easily accomplished by depressing C natural key 57 which elevates tone hole cover 92 over a new C natural tone hole (about 3/32 inch in diameter) and key 53. Tone hole cover 92 is located directly adjacent cover 91 and to the side. Key 57 is located adjacent new B flat side key 55 and above it. Accordingly, the new C natural key 57 is depressed with the side of first finger right hand. It is also understood that key 55 is pressed with side of first finger right hand and 150 works independently for B flat. Observing again also FIG. 2, tone hole cover 72 underlying over ring 64 is attached to a segment of hinge tube 95 so that when cover 72 is depressed this causes cross bar 72A to be depressed thereby also closing tone hole cover 91 and leaving tone hole covers 53, 93 and 54 4levated, thus producing a clear second octave C natural with the second finger left hand. Although this fingering is the same as the old military system, the operating mechanism of the keys set forth is not the same. In old existing system, keys 91 and 93 are already in a closed position, this being their normal state. This does not produce a clear C natural as does the new system described herein.

C SHARP Midlle or second octave C sharp is played with no keys depressed and may be referred to as open C sharp. Third octave C sharp is played by depressing octave key 61 so that it will be understood that the playing of these notes is greatly simplified from the old fingering system. High or third octave C sharp may also be played by depressing octave key 61, over rings 64 and 52 with second and third finger left hand respectively, and keys 39, 30 (FIG. 1) and key in the right hand. This latter key must be depressed for playing all notes above third octave C sharp, with the exception of the notes A natural, A sharp, B natural and C natural fourth octave to which the alternate key 17 may be applied. It will be further noted that, due to the development ofthe simplified fingerings above the third octave C sharp, all the old system alternate and out of tune fake fingerings have been eliminated.

D NATURAL THIRD OCTAVE The fingering for third octave D natural requires depression of over rings 64 and 52, underlying tone hole covers 72 and 54 and covering the tone holes with second and third fingers left hand, key 29 (first finger'right hand) and key 15 with little finger left hand. Of course octave key 61 is also depressed. Such a fingering is different from the old system requiring use of first, second and third finger left hand keys plus C natural key with little finger right hand or the alternate fingering using left hand first finger on the old second octave key while at the same time depressing D natural trill key and first and second finger right hand keys.

D SHARP THIRD OCTAVE E NATURAL THIRD OCTAVE Third octave E natural is played with octave key 61 depressed as well as over ring 64 and 52, underlying tone hole covers 72 and 54 and covering the tone holes in the left hand and key 17 in the right hand, thus being only a single finger variation between D natural and E natural. The ease of playing E natural in the third octave as opposed to the old seven finger combination which will be understood by those skilled in the art.

F NATURAL THIRD OCTAVE The F natural fingering is a one finger movement from E natural. The depression of over rings 64, 52, underlying tone hole covers 72 and 54 and covering the tone holes and key 51 with the second, third and fourth fingers left hand respectively, octave key 61, plus key 15 with the right hand fourth finger, produce this note. Seven fingers were needed to make this same note on the existing old system, being an obvious hardship.

F SHARP THIRD OCTAVE The fingering of this note requires only the depression of octave key 61, over ring 64, and underlying tone hole 72, key 51 and key 17 so that it is only a one finger variation from F natural third octave. In the old system a number of keys were to be depressed for this note which was much more difficult as will be understood by those skilled in the art.

G NATURAL AND G SHARP THIRD OCTAVE G natural is played by depressing octave key 61, key 53 and over ring 64 and underlying tone hole 72 in the left hand and over ring 39 and key 15 in the right hand. G sharp fingering requires only depressing octave key 61 and key 53 in the left hand and over ring 39 and key 15 in the right hand. Thus, the interval between G natural and G sharp in the third octave is a one finger movement and very simply accomplished.

A NATURAL THIRD OCTAVE This note is played by depressing left hand second and third fingers on over rings 64, underlying tone hole cover 72, over ring 52, tone hole cover 54 and coveringv the tone holes, octave key 61 and right hand keys 30, 33 and 17.

A SHARP, B NATURAL, C NATURAL AND C SHARP FOURTH OCTAVE The fingerings for the four notes identified in the fourth octave do not appear on standard oboe fingering charts. A sharp is played by depressing octave key 61 and over rings 64 and 52, underlying tone hole covers 72 and 54 and covering the tone holes with left hand seccond and third fingers, and keys 33 and 17 inthe right hand with third and fourth fingers. For B natural, keys 64 and 52 are depressed, key 51 is held down with the little finger left hand and key 17 is depressed with the fourth finger right hand. For C natural, keys 64 and 52 are depressed with the left hand and keys 30, 33 and 17 with the right hand. For C sharp, keys 64 and 52 are depressed with second and third fingers left hand, plus key 61 and with the right hand keys 33 third finger and key 17 fourth little finger.

I claim:

1. In an oboe or English horn, having an upper portion and a lower portion, a key arrangement comprismg:

first, second, and third tone holes in said upper portion corresponding to B natural, A natural, and G natural,

first, second and third vented tone hole covers and keys integral therewith said keys being located to be normally activated by the first, second, and third fingers of the left hand,

fourth, fifth and sixth tone holes in said lower portion corresponding to F natural, F sharp and D natural respectively,

a ventless tone hole cover over said fourth tone hole cover and a fourth key overlying said ventless cover located to be normally activated by the first finger right hand, and

vented tone hole covers and keys integral therewith overlying said fifth and sixth tone holes located to be normally actuated by the second and third fingers of the right hand.

2. The key arrangement of claim 1 further comprisa seventh tone hole located between said B natural and said A natural tone holes in said upper portion and an eighth tone hole located between said A natural and said G natural tone holes;

seventh and eighth tone hole covers biased into an open position over said seventh and eighth tone holes respectively;

means operatively connecting said first key to said seventh and eighth tone hole covers to close said seventh and eighth tone holes respectively when said first tone hole is closed;

means operatively connecting said second hole over to close only said seventh tone hole when second tone hole is closed; and

means operatively connecting said third tone hole cover to said seventh and eighth tone hole covers to close said seventh and eighth tone holes respectively when said third tone hole cover is closed.

3. The key arrangement of claim 1 further comprisfirst and second octave holes located above said first key having first and second octave hole covers biased toward the open position;

a single octave key having means connected thereto for closing both said octave hole covers when said octave key is not depressed; and

means connecting said third key to said first and second octave hole covers for closing one when said third key is actuated and for closing the other when said third key is not actuated.

4. The key arrangement of claim 1 further comprisa ninth tone hole located between said F natural and said F sharp tone holes in said lower portion;

a ninth tone hole cover biased in an open position over said ninth tone hole; and

means operatively connecting said fourth key to said ninth tone hole cover to close said ninth tone hole when said fourth key is depressed. 

1. In an oboe or English horn, having an upper portion and a lower portion, a key arrangement comprising: first, second, and third tone holes in said upper portion corresponding to B natural, A natural, and G natural, first, second and third vented tone hole covers and keys integral therewith said keys being located to be normally activated by the first, second, and third fingers of the left hand, fourth, fifth and sixth tone holes in said lower portion corresponding to F natural, F sharp and D natural respectively, a ventless tone hole cover over said fourth tone hole cover and a fourth key overlying said ventless cover located to be normally activated by the first finger right hand, and vented tone hole covers and keys integral therewith overlying said fifth and sixth tone holes located to be normally actuated by the second and third fingers of the right hand.
 2. The key arrangement of claim 1 further comprising: a seventh tone hole located between said B natural and said A natural tone holes in said upper portion and an eighth tone hole located between said A natural and said G natural tone holes; seventh and eighth tone hole covers biased into an open position over said seventh and eighth tone holes respectively; means operatively connecting said first key to said seventh and eighth tone hole covers to close said seventh and eighth tone holes rEspectively when said first tone hole is closed; means operatively connecting said second hole over to close only said seventh tone hole when second tone hole is closed; and means operatively connecting said third tone hole cover to said seventh and eighth tone hole covers to close said seventh and eighth tone holes respectively when said third tone hole cover is closed.
 3. The key arrangement of claim 1 further comprising: first and second octave holes located above said first key having first and second octave hole covers biased toward the open position; a single octave key having means connected thereto for closing both said octave hole covers when said octave key is not depressed; and means connecting said third key to said first and second octave hole covers for closing one when said third key is actuated and for closing the other when said third key is not actuated.
 4. The key arrangement of claim 1 further comprising: a ninth tone hole located between said F natural and said F sharp tone holes in said lower portion; a ninth tone hole cover biased in an open position over said ninth tone hole; and means operatively connecting said fourth key to said ninth tone hole cover to close said ninth tone hole when said fourth key is depressed. 